Avondale power to win over Villagers

AVONDALE came into this game with one win out of three outings in Division 1A of the county football league.

They didn’t look too likely to improve on this in the early stages of their home game played against Rathnew on Friday night last, March 30.

Rathnew had got away to a flying start and had three points through Phil Murphy (2) and Dean Franey on the board after five minutes.

They were good value for this lead and with Phil Murphy and Johnny Byrne causing all sorts of problems up front there was only one team in it at this stage.

This began to change on six minutes. A quick passing movement in the Avondale attack led to referee Brendan Furlong awarding a penalty when an attacker was toppled over in the large square. Oisin McGraynor converted the spot kick and from here on the home side began to come more into the game.

Full-forward Johnny Byrne added another Rathnew point after 12 minutes but McGraynor struck for his second goal two minutes later, this time from play.

Avondale had yet to score a point and almost scored a third goal when a Cian O’Hannain shot struck the butt of the upright on 21 minutes.

Sean McGraynor pointed from the rebound to leave the home side ahead by 2-1 to 0-4 at this stage. Dean Franey, Phil Murphy and Johnny Byrne added three further Rathnew points while Avondale responded with points from Ryan Cahill and a Sean McGraynor free to leave the Dales ahead by 2-3 to 0-7 at the break. Rathnew had probably played more of the football in the first half but goals do make a difference.

Avondale turned over to play down towards the dressing rooms end and there is no doubt as to which team played the football in the second period. Sean McGraynor pointed after five minutes and one minute later Oisin completed his hat trick of goals. Ciaran Coffey pointed a free in response but the flow of play was definitely now in favour of the home side.

Avondale were growing in confidence. Oisin McGraynor, Ryan Cahill and Ross Ward added points and when Cahill bagged his goal coming up to the 20th minute, the game was effectively over.

Sean McGraynor pointed another Avondale free and just before the end Cian O’Hannain netted the fifth goal of the game.

Rathnew’s Ciaran Coffey completed his sides scoring with two further points.

Rathnew’s fall away in the second half was surprising but three further goals against them in this half was hard to combat. Final score 5-8 to 0-10

Scorers: Avondale: Oisin McGraynor 3-1, Ryan Cahill 1-2, Cian O’Hannain 1-0, Sean McGraynor 0-4 and Ross Ward 0-1.

Rathnew: Philip Murphy 0-3, Ciaran Coffey 0-3, Dean Freaney 0-2 and Johnny Byrne 0-2.

Avondale: Brian Burke; Shane Beever, Shane O’Neill, Simon Cullen; Jack Manley, Eugene Dunne, Pat Kinsella; Eoin Baker, Paul Gahan; Sean McGraynor, Conor Byrne, Cian O’Hannain; Oisin McGraynor, Ryan Cahill, Ross Ward. Subs: Dean Gahan, Adam Byrne, Aengus O’Briain,Shane Byrne, Seamus McGraynor.

Rathnew: Paddy Reynolds; David Jameson, Garry Hughes, Luke Corcoran; Philip O’Neill, Garry Byrne, Robert Byrne; Ciaran Coffey, Jonah Graham; Ronan Manly, Phil Murphy, Chris Healy; Ronan Doyle, Johnny Byrne, Dean Freaney. Subs: M. Doyle, Lee Kavanagh, Ross Quinn and Jack Healy.

Referee: Brendan Furlong.